The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 6 eBook

In these trifles I waste the precious
day, while watching over the health of our more
precious Emma, who has been sick in our house this
long time. My Mary sends you greeting with me,
she herself in sound health.

Given from the Enfield country
seat, on I know not what Calends of
April—­I am Davus
not an Almanac.[l]

P.S.—­The Reform
Bill is lost altogether.

The Reform Bill was introduced on March 1, 1831, by
Lord John Russell; the second reading was carried
on March 22 by a majority of 1. On its commitment
on April 19 there was a majority of 8 against the Government.
Four days later the Government was again defeated by
22 and Parliament was dissolved. But later, of
course, the Reform Bill was passed.]

[Footnote 1: Allusion to the phrase of Davus
the servant in Plautus—­“Davus sum
non Oedipus.”]

Sitting by me is my good sister, turning
over Euripides, your gift, dear Cary [a pun here,
“carissime care"], for which we thank you, and
will read and re-read it. Most acceptable to both
of us is this book of “Pity’s Priest,”
a sacred work of your bestowing, yourself a priest
of the most humane Religion. We shall take our
pleasure weeping; there are times when pain turns